At Citizen Femme, we talk a lot about what to pack for your holiday because, ultimately, the clothes we take with us set the tone for the trip.
Overpacking makes getting ready each morning feel chaotic, and leaving the wrong piece at home can change the way we feel that day. We want pieces that make us feel special, that denote that we’re away somewhere beautiful with our favourite people. Mastering packing requires careful consideration of the setting, occasion and how we want to feel when we’re there – a girls’ weekend in Paris will require a different wardrobe to a family beach break in Greece. Wherever we’re going, none of us want to be wasting time on holiday worrying about what to wear.
Our Never Travel Without series calls on some of the world’s most stylish globetrotting women to find out what they always pack – the sartorial classics they depend on year after year. Next up is New York-based influencer and entrepreneur Dileiny Baron, who is known for her versatile elegance. Since ditching her corporate 9-5 job in her thirties, she is now a full-time content creator with an Instagram following of 132,000. She travels a lot, and has honed a capsule wardrobe that works hard. Here, she shares her North Star packing items – and explains how to wear them.
The Striped Co-ord
“My blue striped two-piece from Maje is a statement-making outfit. No matter where I’m travelling to, this co-ord makes me feel bold, chic and pulled together. The silhouette is super relaxed, so it’s perfect for sun-soaked holidays. Both pieces can be mixed and matched, which means they can be worn different ways to multiple occasions.”
The Slip Dress
“A slip dress is always one of the first pieces I pack, partly because it takes up almost no space. I love how easily it can move from a day of wandering with flat sandals and a woven bag, to dinner with statement jewellery and heels. It’s one of those elegant classics that makes travel dressing feel straight forward. Mine is from Mango and comes with a satin fringed bandana, which makes it feel even more special.”
The Linen Look
“A linen set – a loose-fitting vest and matching trousers – is one of the hardest-working pieces in my suitcase. It feels effortless and comfortable for daytime travel – the kind of airport outfit that could maybe land you an upgrade – yet chic enough to transition into a casual dinner. I like that it can be worn as a full look or paired separately, giving me so many options while saving me from overpacking. I never travel without a wrinkle-release spray – it definitely helps freshen up linen after it’s been in a suitcase. That said, I also think part of its beauty is that it isn’t supposed to look perfectly pressed. I hang everything up as soon as I arrive, give it a quick spritz with wrinkle-releaser, and then embrace the relaxed, lived-in look.”
Dileiny Baron
The Versatile Bikini
“Swimwear with range beyond the beach or pool is an essential for me. A simple bikini top (like this one from Monday Swimwear) paired with a skirt, linen pants, or an oversized button-down creates a vacation look that works just as well for lunch, sightseeing, or strolling through a city. I gravitate towards pieces that can be worn in different ways; they help me pack lighter. I’ve worn one-piece swimsuits as bodysuits with denim shorts or jeans so many times too, because they look just like fitted tops. If you’re not comfortable wearing a bikini top on its own, a one-piece is a great alternative. And if you want a little more coverage, you can always throw on an oversized linen shirt or button-down over either look. It’s an easy way to ease into the trend while still feeling comfortable and polished.”
The Animal-Print Essential
“I almost always bring an animal-print piece on holiday, whether it’s a dress, sarong, or pair of trousers. It’s my favourite way to add personality to a travel wardrobe without feeling trend-led. It’s glamorous in such a timeless way. I treat it like a neutral and style with simple basics that let the print shine. I use my sarong as a beach cover-up over my swimsuit, but I’ll also tie it as a skirt or even wear it as a top for dinner. My leopard wide-leg flowy trousers are another double duty hero – they’re perfect on the beach during the day but then easily transition into the evening with a simple tank or bikini top.”
Ella Alexander is Citizen Femme’s fashion features editor. She started her career at the Evening Standard, and has since held senior editorial roles at Vogue, The Independent and Harper’s Bazaar, where she remains a contributing editor. She also writes for The Telegraph, Sunday Times Style, Service95 and CNN. She is an author, having co-written Dame Zandra Rhodes’ memoir, Iconic: My Life In Fashion In 50 Objects, published by Transworld in July 2024. Her favourite travel destination is Catania, Sicily’s second city.
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